1. Higher Animal Welfare Standards for Egg Laying
Hens in the Neatherlands: “Enriched” cages for laying hens will be
banned in the Netherlands as of January 2009,. The only form of caging
that will be permitted there for the hens are those in the “small group
system,” which the Dutch ministry said will allow hens to exercise
natural behaviors.

To read the full article please visit http://www.worldpoultry.net/home/id2205-43213/dutch_demand_higher_standards_than_the_eu.html

2. "What is clearer than that man is not furnished
for hunting, much less for eating, other animals? In one word, we seem
to be admirably admonished by Cicero that man was destined for other
things than for seizing and cutting the throats of other animals. If you
answer, "that may be said to be an industry ordered by Nature, by which
such weapons are invented," then, behold, it is by the very same
artificial instrument that men make weapons for mutual slaughter. Do
they this at the instigation of Nature? Can a use so noxious be called
natural? Faculty is given by Nature, but it is our own fault that we
make a perverse use of it." ~ Pierre Gassendi (1592 - 1655), French
physicist, philosopher.

3. Britain's Battery Farming Uncovered:
Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) in conjunction with The Independent
visited the biggest egg producer in the UK, Holsworthy Beacon Farm. The
scenes were distressing as they found hens crammed five to a cage,
stacked in rows from floor to ceiling unable to spread their wings
fully, nest, or exhibit other natural behavior. Some had large bare
patches where they had lost their feathers and to add to their misery a
constant stench of animal waste, ammonia and disinfectant emanating from
the cages.

To read the full article please visit http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/how-do-you-like-your-eggs-read-our-undercover-investigation-into-britains-battery-farming-816214.html

Hens are God’s animals who deserve our compassion and mercy and our
heartless treatment toward them reflects how far we have strayed from
God’s ideal plan of a harmonious world. The transition to a plant-based
diet helps us participate in the reconciliation of God’s Creation.

4. (RSV) Colossians 4:5-6

“Conduct
yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let
your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know
how you ought to answer every one.”

Our words are as important as our deeds. They should speak of
compassion, mercy and forgiveness. This way, we show to others the way
to Christ.

5. Auction Abuse Revealed: The Humane Society
of the United States released a new video taken at animal auctions in
Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas that showed sick and
injured downed cattle lying on the ground with no human assistance. The
evidence was presented to Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, "Since
learning about this investigation, we are reaching out to states and
industry groups to address this issue."

To read the full article please visit
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/
idUSN0716185920080507?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews